{"id":2614,"date":"2024-04-12T14:08:27","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T14:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=2614"},"modified":"2024-04-12T14:08:27","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T14:08:27","slug":"kotokos-struggles-a-test-of-patience-for-the-favoured-ogum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=2614","title":{"rendered":"Kotoko\u2019s struggles a test of patience for the favoured Ogum"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>6 Minute, 14 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>

These are incredibly hard times for Kumasi Asante Kotoko. They can\u2019t buy a win in the Ghana Premier League and are slipping down the league table. One point out of a possible 18 usually gets the sack at Kotoko and it has inevitably triggered a debate about the future of Prosper Ogum.<\/p>\n

Ogum\u2019s previous stint at Kotoko was hugely successful. And yet, despite that, there are those wondering why he still remains in charge of the team in the face of the poor form.<\/p>\n

To understand why his support base remains so strong, you need to look at what he achieved in his first stint. During that tenure, he broke an eight-year drought in the Ghana Premier League with their first title in the 2021\/2022 season<\/p>\n

And there were some landmark performances en route to league triumph. For instance, Ogum ended Kotoko\u2019s 13-year winless streak against Aduana FC<\/a> at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park with a convincing 2-0 victory.<\/p>\n

During this period, Ogum also strategically utilised foreign talents Franck Etouga Mbella and Georges Mfuege, both Cameroonians, as the primary goal-scoring assets. Their contributions played a pivotal role in bolstering Kotoko\u2019s offensive capabilities during a challenging campaign that tested the team in various aspects. In doing that, he dispelled the sense that foreign talents didn\u2019t thrive at the club.<\/p>\n

When he eventually left the club, it was more due to disagreements with the Nana Yaw Amponsah<\/a>-led management rather than an issue of competence.<\/p>\n

So it came as little surprise when his return to the club was heralded by the passionate Porcupine Warriors fans. Jerome Otchere, a former Kotoko Express Editor says the the euphoria was understandable.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was the best option at the time. Secondly, he was called back to continue his unfinished business but I didn\u2019t believe he\u2019ll have it easy. The conditions under which he performed in his first stint were largely going to be absent. It\u2019s showing now.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year, Kotoko has had a dismal run. They lost four consecutive league games, marking their worst record in 14 years<\/a>. The club plummeted from 3rd to 9th on the Ghana Premier League table and the pressure on Ogum increased.<\/p>\n

Asante Kotoko 1-2 Nsoatreman <\/p>\n

Sack or keep Prosper Ogum? #3SportsGH<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/YcChAE7H29<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 #3Sports (@3SportsGh) April 11, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n\n

So intense was it that Kotoko felt the need to issue a statement re-assuring him of his future.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe IMC acknowledges the concerns raised by our cherished supporters regarding our current situation. It must be placed on record that management is equally not enthused with our results and deems it unacceptable. However, the IMC is committed to ensuring that there is a quick turnaround in our current fortunes.\u201d parts of the statement read.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our quest to achieve this, various steps have been taken, including an emergency meeting with the coaching staff and not the dismissal of the head coach.<\/p>\n

Fast forward weeks after, Asante Kotoko\u2019s plight has deepened further. They have lost three straight times at home following the loss to Nsoatreman and have dropped to 10th place in the league standings.<\/p>\n

Kotoko\u2019s position as 10th on the table is not the only disappointing outcome for their fans.<\/p>\n

They have won only once in the second round of the competition after eight games. They have lost seven in their last nine games across all competitions. They have been booted out of the FA Cup after losing to Karela United in the round of 16.<\/p>\n

7 defeats in 9 games as Kotoko fall again at home<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ghana’s two biggest clubs Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak are middle of the Ghana Premier League table #3SportsGH<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Vmih72nGrZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 #3Sports (@3SportsGh) April 12, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n\n

It is worth noting that Seydou Zerbo was sacked last season for experiencing his first home defeat. Meanwhile, Kotoko have emerged as the worst-performing home team throughout the season, accumulating only 18 points from 12 home games, with five wins, three draws, and four losses.<\/p>\n

“Change the head coach and bring in a new person”<\/p>\n

Head of Akoma Sports @ricangy<\/a> believes Kotoko should let Prosper Ogum go.<\/p>\n

More on #GPLXpress<\/a> this Saturday #3SportsGH<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/R27Q7Gj6OQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 #3Sports (@3SportsGh) April 12, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Interestingly, during the same period last season, after matchday 25, Kotoko had achieved a 4-0 victory against Real Tamale United (RTU) and ascended to fourth place in the league table. This was after Zerbo was dismissed, and youth team coach Abdul Gazale had taken over as interim boss until the end of the season.<\/p>\n

Despite the current form, Ogum continues to receive the backing of club legends and former players.<\/p>\n

Maxwell Konadu, former coach of the club, has been involved in exacerbating Kotoko\u2019s troubles this season as his current team, Nsoatreman, handed Kotoko its latest defeat at the Baba Yara Stadium on Thursday night, adding to the Porcupines\u2019 recent setbacks.<\/p>\n

Despite his team\u2019s success against Kotoko, Konadu believes that the coach is not solely responsible for the team\u2019s struggles<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe it is a coaching issue; when the players play, it is clear that they are afraid,\u201d Konadu told Akoma Sports \u201cThe demands placed on the players appear to put them under additional strain; they lack the character required to play as a Kotoko player, which I believe is their issue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles Kwablah (CK) Akonnor, an ex-coach of Kotoko, advocated for patience, citing examples of successful managerial tenures in other clubs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve witnessed how patience can yield remarkable results,\u201d Akonnor told Akoma Sports. Arsenal\u2019s faith in Arteta and Liverpool\u2019s backing of Klopp exemplify the value of time and patience. Perhaps Ogum requires more time to implement his vision and steer Kotoko to success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asante Kotoko fans were livid after the club lost 2-1 to Nsoatreman on Thursday night<\/p>\n

More on #GPLXpress<\/a> this Saturday at 2pm.#3SportsGH<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NgCwDzrGLj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 #3Sports (@3SportsGh) April 12, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n\n

However, not all voices have been supportive of Ogum\u2019s continued leadership. Club legend Wilberforce Mfum questioned the IMC\u2019s decision to retain Ogum<\/a> despite the team\u2019s poor performances. Mfum expressed concerns over the club\u2019s reputation and the quality of players recruited under Ogum\u2019s management.<\/p>\n

Mfum remarked, \u201cThat is not right. If I held any capacity in the team, I wouldn\u2019t have agreed to this decision of the IMC. How can you lose five matches and still be at the helm of Kotoko?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kotoko players must be beaten by fans for their poor performance – Wilberforce Mfum<\/a><\/p>\n

Ogum needs to turn things around and quickly too. Kotoko have three huge games coming up that would test them to the core against Dreams FC who are in the relegation zone but are through to the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup. They face Samartex who lead the league next before a meeting with Medeama FC, the defending champions.<\/p>\n

Jerome Otchere reckons if results don\u2019t go well, the pressure of fans may force his biggest backers Manhyia to buckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as the powers that be want him to be there Ogum will stay but supporters\u2019 pressure may eventually see him out. I doubt however if the mere dismissal of Ogum answers Kotoko\u2019s chronic systemic problems. Ogum\u2019s struggling but the thing is beyond him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The post Kotoko\u2019s struggles a test of patience for the favoured Ogum<\/a> first appeared on 3News<\/a>.<\/p>

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